The UK’s most famous giant monster is hitting the big screen in what may be the most unique kaiju double feature of them all. Gorgo will be showing at the Bristol Megascreen on September 10th as part of the first wing of the Archaeo-Heritage Film tour, a series of select screenings of classic & contemporary cinema with common themes and motifs. As a neat supplement to introduce the film, which celebrates its 65th Anniversary this year, Gorgo will be paired up with the comedic short film Waiting for Gorgo by director Benjamin Craig. If that’s not enough fun connective tissue for you, the beloved classic will also be paired up in a strange, but fitting double feature with The Lighthouse (2019), with a special exclusive video intro by the film’s director, Robert Eggers (Nosferatu, The Northman).
These screenings are all a part of the Archaeo-Heritage Film: Into the Depths series, a set of screenings that dive into nautical-themed cinema, and will undoubtedly cover some beloved monster films of yesteryear. If you’re looking for a big way to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Gorgo, there might not be any better screening but this one! Acclaimed kaiju historian and expert Steven Sloss will also introduce the film in person. Sloss is currently working on a book covering the original Godzilla film and its history for the BFI, so it is likely that he will bring great knowledge and fondness for the iconic 1961 creature feature.
IMDb’s synopsis for Gorgo covers the basics well:
“Greedy sailors capture a giant lizard off the coast of Ireland and sell it to a London circus, inciting the wrath of the creature’s much-larger mother.”
The film stars Bill Travers (Ring of Bright Water, Born Free), William Sylvester (2001: A Space Odyssey), Vincent Winter (best known for his work in Production Management and as a Second Unit Director/Assistant Director on titles such as Superman, For Your Eyes Only, and more), and Joseph O’Conor (The Dark Crystal). For our readers looking for more kaiju and giant monster connections, Gorgo was directed by Eugène Lourié, who helmed creature features such as The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms and The Giant Behemoth, with the former being one of the most beloved Atomic Age monster flicks of all time.
Tickets to the screening are now available on the Archao-Heritage Film website, with two options for moviegoers: The first is a solo screening to Gorgo (with the intro by Steven Sloss and Waiting for Gorgo short film) for those looking for a fun kaiju evening. The second, for the more seasoned film enthusiasts looking for connective themes, is the double feature pairing of Gorgo and The Lighthouse. Both screenings will be held on September 10th, but according to Steven Sloss, more are being planned for the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on all things giant monsters on Kaiju United.
